3 services · Reno
Water heaters in Reno, NV
Most tank water heaters last about 8 to 12 years. A plumber can often repair a heater that stops making hot water, but a tank that leaks from the bottom has failed and needs to be replaced. Tankless heaters last longer but cost more to install, especially if the gas line or venting has to change.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Water heaters services in Reno
Water heater repair
UrgentIf a gas water heater has no hot water, the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve is the usual cause; on an electric heater it's usually an element or thermostat. Those parts are repairable. A tank that leaks from the bottom can't be repaired and needs to be replaced.
Water heater replacement in Reno
A leaking tank or a heater past about 10 years old is usually replaced rather than repaired. A proper install includes a permit, correct venting (adjusted for altitude where needed), an expansion tank where required, a drip leg on the gas line and a relief valve discharge pipe.
Tankless water heaters
A tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so it doesn't run out, but it needs a larger gas line, its own venting and a unit rated for your elevation. Installed correctly and descaled regularly, it can outlast a tank heater.
Local conditions
Water heaters in Reno: what's different
Truckee Meadows water can be moderately hard, building scale in water heaters over time. Cold winter water means heaters work harder, and high-desert elevation affects gas appliance setup.
High pressure in some neighborhoods can also make relief valves drip, so checking for a pressure reducing valve and an expansion tank at replacement matters.
Older Old Southwest and Midtown homes may have heaters in tight spaces needing venting updates, while newer homes in Somersett and South Meadows are reaching first replacements. Permits come from the City of Reno or Washoe County.
- Water and sewer in Reno
- The Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) supplies water. The City of Reno provides sewer service.
- Permits in Reno
- Plumbing permits are issued by the City of Reno Building and Safety division; unincorporated addresses go through Washoe County.
Reno housing and plumbing
The Old Southwest and Midtown have homes from the early and mid-1900s. Newer areas like Somersett and South Meadows are mostly 1990s and later.
Other Reno conditions that affect plumbing
- Cold nights: Sub-freezing winter nights freeze pipes in garages and exterior walls.
- Temperature swings: Large daily swings stress exposed pipes and outdoor fixtures.
- Older galvanized pipe: Homes in the Old Southwest may still have galvanized supply.
- Hard water: Truckee Meadows water can be moderately hard, building scale in water heaters and fixtures over time.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Reno and Washoe County, including Old Southwest, Midtown, Northwest Reno, South Meadows, Somersett, Downtown. ZIP codes: 89501 · 89502 · 89503 · 89504 · 89505 · 89506.
When to call a plumber in Reno
- No hot water, or hot water that runs out much faster than it used to
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Rumbling or popping from the tank
- Rusty or smelly hot water
- A pilot that won't stay lit or a tankless unit showing an error code
- A heater more than 10 years old before it fails
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the water heaters guide.
Water heaters questions in Reno
Why does my Reno water heater relief valve drip?
How long does a water heater replacement take?
More plumbing in Reno
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